Renton Man, 20, Reportedly Kills Girlfriend To Keep Her From Leaving For College

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Seattle (CBS) — A 20 year-old Renton man is charged with killing his girlfriend and King County prosecutors say they believe he did it to prevent her from leaving him to go to college.

According to the Seattle PI, Gabriel Navarro strangled the victim and called police afterward to report the crime.

Navarro also sent multiple text messages to the victim’s family members, blaming them for her death and accusing them of making attempts to persuade the victim to end the relationship.

When Renton police responded to the scene on April 12, Navarro — who was initially standing outside — ran into the apartment. After police fired warning shots, Navarro surrendered.

Police found the victim, also 20 years old, dead on a bed inside the apartment.

The Seattle PI reports, Navarro displayed a history of controlling behavior. The preliminary report suggests Navarro often kept the victim from seeing her family and would take jobs at her workplace to monitor her behavior. Court documents note that the victim was making plans to attend art school.

Navarro is charged with first-degree murder. He will be arraigned May 1 in Kent.